Sale volumes at fresh markets drop during political protests

BANGKOK, January 14 (TNA) - Sale volumes at Thailand's fresh markets have dropped by 20-50 per cent, caused by impacts from ongoing domestic political protests and national economic slowdown, contradicting to rising prices of consumer products, particularly those of fresh vegetables and meat. At Huay Kwang fresh market, for instance, traders told reporters on Tuesday that sale volumes have generally dropped, as people have, apparently, become inconvenient to travel to the market. Sale volumes of meat, including fish, pork and chicken, have even fallen by 30 -50 per cent, while pork prices have risen by about 10 baht ahead of the Chinese New Year festival late this month. Prices of vegetables have increased by 5-15 baht per kilogramme. Traders said, however, that there has been no problem of any insufficient supply of consumer products or purchase of large quantities for hoarding by consumers.(TNA)